Human knowledge of God may be a purely intellectual phenomenon, as when one knows about God through observing the results of his actions, but God's people know him in a personal way because of their relationship with him.
Knowledge of God through his actions
God acts in creation
Romans 1:20 See also Psalm 19:1–4; Acts 14:17
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
God acts in judgment
Ezekiel 38:22–23 See also Exodus 7:5, Exodus 14:4; Psalm 83:9–18; Ezekiel 6:13, Ezekiel 39:6, Ezekiel 39:23
I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. I will magnify and sanctify Myself, and I will reveal Myself in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.[’’]
God acts in saving his people
Isaiah 52:9–10 See also 1 Samuel 17:46–47; Isaiah 37:20, Isaiah 49:26
Break forth in joy, sing together, O ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted His people; He has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
God's people know him through his dealings with them
God delivers his people
Exodus 6:6–7 See also Exodus 10:2, Exodus 16:6; Deuteronomy 4:32–35; Joshua 3:10, Joshua 4:23–24; 1 Kings 20:13, 1 Kings 20:28
Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
God provides and cares for his people
Exodus 16:8 See also 1 Kings 8:56–60; Isaiah 41:17–20, Isaiah 45:4–6; Ezekiel 37:26–28
And Moses added, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and bread to fill you in the morning, for He has heard your grumbling against Him. Who are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.”
In giving them his law
Ezekiel 20:19–20 See also Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:11–12
I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
God judges and restores his people
Ezekiel 11:10–12 See also Numbers 14:34; Jeremiah 24:5–7, Jeremiah 31:33–34; Ezekiel 6:2–10, Ezekiel 7:4, Ezekiel 12:15–16, Ezekiel 20:38, Ezekiel 36:11, Ezekiel 37:14
You will fall by the sword, and I will judge you even to the borders of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. The city will not be a pot for you, nor will you be the meat within it. I will judge you even to the borders of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. For you have neither followed My statutes nor practiced My ordinances, but you have conformed to the ordinances of the nations around you.”
Knowledge of God leads to confidence in him
Psalm 9:10 See also Genesis 22:7–8; Job 19:25; Psalm 18:2, Psalm 37:25, Psalm 71:5–6; Isaiah 12:1–2; Daniel 11:32
Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.